Auckland's Transport Election Debate

The Campaign for
Better Transport, in association with TransportBlog and
Generation Zero, is counting down to Auckland's Transport
Election Debate, on the 27th August.

The meeting will be a
chance for the public to find out from each party in the
coming general election what they are promising to do for
Auckland's transport problems and options.

"We are hoping
for some solid transport policy for Auckland from each of
the parties attending," said Cameron Pitches, Convenor of
the Campaign for Better Transport.

Each speaker has been
allocated ten minutes to speak, to be followed by questions
from the floor from the general public.

"We've outlined a
number of areas that we expect each speaker to cover. These
include their party's positions on the timing of the City
Rail Link, and how transport projects across the different
modes should be prioritised and funded in
Auckland."

TransportBlog contributor Patrick Reynolds will
also be on hand to talk about the Congestion Free Network, a
public transport focussed initiative that focusses on moving
people effectively around Auckland at peak times.

Sudhvir
Singh, a medical doctor and a leader of Generation Zero, is
looking forward to the event.

"Young people are demanding
that we learn from past mistakes when it comes to transport
funding. A liveable low-carbon city is entirely possible if
we are smarter about transport and give people choices,"
said Dr Singh.

Representatives from Labour, the Greens, NZ
First and ACT will be attending. National's transport
spokesperson and current Minister of Transport Gerry
Brownlee is unable to attend due to prior diary commitments.
Organisers are hopeful that National will be able to put
forward an alternative spokesperson.

"Nationwide, more
than $2.5bn is collected in fuel and road taxes every year,
and these taxes are increasing year on year. The public
needs assurance that the Government after the 20th September
will be spending our tax dollars on the right projects,"
concludes Mr Pitches.

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